If it weren’t for the fact that Song Sijia was still a virgin, he would have suspected she was cheating on him.
Thinking about last night, Song Sijia felt quite smug. In her past life, Song Siyi definitely hadn’t managed to win over Lu Yan.
How could someone like Lu Yan, a city boy, ever take a liking to a rigid and boring village girl like Song Siyi?
Lu Yan looked at Song Sijia, pursed his lips, and said, “Why don’t you go back and talk to your parents about us moving back to live with them?”
“Otherwise, with the autumn harvest being so exhausting and busy, we have to come back and cook for ourselves—it’s just too much to handle.”
Song Sijia’s eyes flickered. She wanted to say that because of the money issue, her parents still hadn’t forgiven her.
“Alright, I’ll go talk to them after work tonight.”
For now, she could only placate Lu Yan.
Lu Yan’s expression finally softened a little.
Up in the mountains, Song Siyi had managed to catch five rabbits and three pheasants in total.
She kept the largest rabbit, stored the pheasants and the other rabbits in her space, then killed the remaining rabbit with a rock. After making sure there were no obvious traces, she placed the rabbit in her basket, covered it with firewood, and headed down the mountain.
When she returned home, Song Siyi started cooking as it was about time.
First, she steamed the cornbread buns, then went to prepare the rabbit.
Her movements were very skillful. Even though she hadn’t done this kind of work for a long time in her previous life, the things etched in her memory hadn’t been forgotten.
After preparing the rabbit, she cut it into pieces and marinated them, then went to the private plot to pick some cucumbers and peppers.
With limited ingredients, she planned to make stir-fried rabbit meat, smashed cucumber salad, and stir-fried green pepper and potato strips. That would be enough.
As noon approached and it was almost time to finish work, the aunties and sisters-in-law who cooked first began hurrying home.
Today, it was Zhang Xiuying’s turn to come back and cook. She walked quickly home with several other aunties.
One of the aunties said, “Xiuying, your Fourth Brother is already on his second day of marriage, and that Song girl still isn’t going to work? You really shouldn’t spoil your daughter-in-law too much.”
“A new bride needs to be kept in check, or she’ll surely step all over you.”
Zhang Xiuying shot her a sidelong glance. “My young daughter-in-law was beaten up by that shameless Song family just a few days ago and had to go to the Health Clinic. What’s wrong with her resting a few more days? Besides, Fourth Brother is injured—what’s wrong with his wife taking extra care of him?”
“Speaking of which, why haven’t I seen your third son these past few days? The autumn harvest is the busiest time—you better keep a close eye on him. Avoiding labor could get him sent to a farm for re-education.”
“Next week, even the schoolchildren will be on break to come back and help. Don’t tell me your third son still won’t be around by then.”
Hearing this, the auntie immediately fell silent, only muttering dryly, “My third son isn’t feeling well.”
Then she hurried off.
Zhang Xiuying watched her retreating figure and snorted. These people had nothing better to do, always poking their noses into other people’s business.
The other aunties exchanged silent smiles.
Just then, a rich aroma wafted over, the bold scent drifting into everyone’s nostrils and making them swallow their saliva.
“Whose house is cooking something so delicious? That’s definitely the smell of meat, right?”
Someone pointed at the Xie family’s chimney. “Xiuying, that smell is coming from your house, isn’t it?”
Zhang Xiuying immediately looked pleased. “That must be my young daughter-in-law, not wanting me to work too hard. She must have started cooking early.”
Everyone couldn’t help but feel envious.
“Xiuying really is blessed. Your daughters-in-law are all so sensible, one better than the other.”
Zhang Xiuying nodded. “That’s certainly true.”
Zhang Xiuying bid farewell to everyone, her steps home carrying a hint of pride and joy.
Pushing open the door, the aroma grew even stronger.
After washing her hands, she hurried into the kitchen.
"Siyi, what are you making? I could smell it from far away."
Song Siyi waved the spatula and smiled faintly upon seeing Zhang Xiuying return. "Mom, you're back."
Zhang Xiuying also got a clear look at what was in the pot and exclaimed, "Oh my! Siyi, did you go up the mountain?"
Her youngest son had left early in the morning, so the rabbit meat could only have been brought by her youngest daughter-in-law.
She quickly pulled Song Siyi over, checking her up and down. "You didn't get hurt, did you? You're such a bold child. The mountains are so dangerous—what if you got injured?"
Song Siyi raised her hands and spun around twice. "Mom, I'm fine. I originally went up the mountain to gather some firewood and was lucky enough to come across an injured rabbit. I caught it without much effort."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiuying breathed a sigh of relief. "Next time you go up the mountain, you must have Jingzhou accompany you. I won't feel at ease if you go alone."
Song Siyi quickly nodded. "Okay."
Only after receiving her assurance did Zhang Xiuying stop nagging.
With Zhang Xiuying's help, three dishes were soon ready.
As soon as the Xie family returned, they caught the enticing aroma. Xie Wenhua stretched his neck and sniffed.
"What delicious food did Mom make today? It smells so good."
"Since when did Mom have such great cooking skills?"
Zhang Xiuying retorted irritably, "You're complaining about me cooking for you? But today's meal wasn't made by me—it was made by Siyi."
Xie Wenhua suddenly understood. "No wonder."
Zhang Xiuying raised her hand and slapped him. "Are you looking down on me?"
Xie Rui and Xie Chen had already dashed into the house, drawn by the aroma, and obediently sat at the table waiting to eat. When they saw the large plate of rabbit meat in the center of the table, their eyes lit up simultaneously.
Xie Chen shouted loudly, "Auntie made meat!"
His tone was filled with unconcealed joy.
When he turned his head, drool was already dripping down.
Wang Guihua had originally intended to pick a fight, but as soon as she heard there was meat, she rushed into the main room.
"Meat? Where did our family get meat?"
Could it be that the only piece of cured meat had been cooked?
If so, she would have to give this Fourth Sister-in-law a good talking-to. How could she be so wasteful?
She had even planned to take some back to her parents' home.
But when she saw that it wasn't cured meat but rabbit meat in the bowl, she felt even more sour. How could she manage to get a rabbit?
Song Siyi emerged from the kitchen carrying steamed cornbread and called out to everyone, "Time to eat!"
Wang Guihua's tone was dripping with envy. "Fourth Sister-in-law is quite capable."
She wanted to say that Xie Jingzhou had caught it, but he wasn't even around.
Song Siyi stuck to her original story: "It was all luck. I just happened to come across it and brought it back."
Wang Guihua swallowed her saliva. In order to get a taste of the meat, she wisely kept her mouth shut.
Once the whole family was seated, they began to eat.
Everyone's first chopsticks went straight for the rabbit meat. After tasting it, they all gave Song Siyi a thumbs-up.
Xie Lincheng was even more effusive: "Sister-in-law, your arrival is a blessing for our family."
Zhao Meixia also nodded in agreement. "Fourth Sister-in-law's cooking skills are truly impressive."
Xie Rui and Xie Chen ate with their heads down, not looking up. Xie Chen said in his childish voice, "I like Auntie. The food is yummy~"
Wang Guihua sneered and muttered quietly, "Cooking every day at home, of course her skills would improve."
The smiles vanished from everyone's faces.
Zhang Xiuying no longer wanted to deal with this unpleasant person. She decisively moved the meat away from Wang Guihua.
"If you have a problem with it, then don't eat it."
Wang Guihua was stunned. She hadn't said much—just spoken the truth. Was that wrong?
She turned her gaze to Xie Wenhua, but he pretended not to see.
From then on, until the plates were cleared, Wang Guihua didn't get a single piece of rabbit meat.
Wang Guihua was furious, but she couldn't skip the meal—otherwise, how would she work in the afternoon?